Hurghada: Private Luxury Speedboat W Snorkelling & Fruits

A private speedboat gives you something most Red Sea outings cannot: control of the day. You can race along the coast, stop for a swim, snorkel at several sites, or simply stretch out under the shaded section while your captain suggests the best use of the four hours. I especially like the private format and the mix of open-water speed with easy beach time at Giftun, Orange Bay, and Magawish.

I also like the practical touches: hotel pickup, snorkelling equipment, water, soft drinks, fruit, a shower, and a stereo on board. The main thing to consider is cost. At $329 per group of up to two, this is not a cheap boat trip for a solo visitor or couple, and island entrance fees are extra. It makes better sense if privacy matters to you or if you can share the cost with a larger private group.

Key details before you book

• Private boat for up to two at the listed price: You get your own captain-guide rather than sharing the boat with a large group.
• Giftun, Orange Bay, and Magawish are all possible stops: The planned route gives you a broad taste of beaches, islands, and snorkelling water.
• Dolphin watching is an option, not a promise: You may spot dolphins and could have the chance to swim near them in their natural setting.
• Snorkelling gear and shaded seating are included: You do not need to arrange basic equipment or spend the whole trip in direct sun.
• Island fees are separate: Orange Bay, Nemo Island, Magawish, and other island stops can each carry an extra charge.
• Pickup takes patience: Hotel pickup windows can vary by up to 60 minutes in Hurghada, and the bus waits only five minutes at the meeting point.

A private Red Sea outing instead of a fixed group cruise

The appeal here is simple. You are not tied to a large boat’s timetable or a fixed group’s preferred pace. With your own speedboat and captain, you can ask for more swimming, more snorkelling, more beach time, or more time cruising along the coast.

That flexibility matters in Hurghada. A standard day boat often tries to keep every passenger happy, which can mean a set route and short stops. Here, the captain can suggest locations, but you have a say in how the four hours unfold. If one snorkelling stop is enough, you can move on. If the water is calm and clear, you can linger.

The boat has a shaded area, so you can take a break from the sun. There is also a shower, stereo system, life jacket, water, soft drinks, and fruit. These are modest additions, but they make a difference on a half-day at sea. You will still want a towel, sun protection, and cash for the island charges.

Getting from your hotel to the marina

Pickup is included from Hurghada areas listed as Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Hurghada. The transfer to the boat takes about 25 minutes by van, though the full pickup process can take longer because hotel collection is arranged within a window rather than at one exact minute.

You should wait at your hotel’s main entrance by the road, not at reception. Look for a white or black bus with the GoShalabi logo. The pickup confirmation is sent by email or WhatsApp at around 10:00 PM the night before, so check your messages before bed and keep the details handy.

The stated pickup window for Hurghada hotels is plus or minus 60 minutes. For Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga, the window can stretch to plus or minus 90 minutes. Pickup from those extended areas is not included unless you select the proper add-on, and you may need to pay at the harbor if you have not arranged it in advance.

This is one place where you should not cut things close. Be ready on time, since the vehicle waits only five minutes. Give the operator your passport copy, nationality, hotel name, address, and room number as requested.

Giftun Island and the first two hours on the water

Giftun Island is the main portion of the outing, with about two hours set aside for visiting, snorkelling, and dolphin watching. The exact order can change with the captain’s advice and the conditions on the water.

The Red Sea is the star here. You can expect time to swim and use the supplied snorkelling equipment, with the chance to see coral and marine life beneath the surface. The operator also lists dolphin watching and the possibility of swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat.

Keep your expectations sensible. Dolphins are wild animals, so no captain can guarantee a sighting or a close encounter. The value of this part of the trip is the chance to look for them while enjoying open water, rather than buying a dolphin performance or a staged animal visit.

You may also choose an island stop for beach time. Giftun’s appeal is its pale sand and clear water, but access to particular locations can involve an extra fee. The tour description allows you to choose among Giftun islands, so confirm the exact stop and cost with the operator before departure.

Orange Bay, with one hour for beach time

Orange Bay is scheduled for about an hour. It is a good counterpoint to the boat’s fast pace. After cruising and snorkelling, you can step ashore, swim, sit on the sand, or take in the view from the island setting.

The entrance fee is listed separately at €5 per person. That cost is small compared with the total booking, but it is easy to overlook when comparing tour prices. Bring cash, as the practical information specifically advises it.

An hour is enough to get a taste of Orange Bay, but not enough for a slow beach day. If you want long stretches of sunbathing, this schedule may feel brisk. If you prefer variety, the shorter stop works well because you still have time for water activities and another island.

Magawish Island and the final stretch

Magawish Island is also allocated about an hour. It gives you another chance to swim, relax, or look around before returning to Hurghada. The listed fee is €5 per person, separate from the booking price.

The route also allows for other choices, including Nemo Island and Abo Ramada. Nemo Island has a listed entrance fee of €5 per person. Abo Ramada is especially appealing if seeing sea turtles and coral is a priority, although the supplied schedule specifically names Giftun, Orange Bay, and Magawish rather than guaranteeing Abo Ramada.

That distinction matters. Treat the route as a flexible plan, not a promise that every possible island will be included in full. Tell the captain what you care about at the start: coral, turtles, dolphins, beach time, or simply a quiet ride. The more clearly you set your priorities, the more useful the private format becomes.

How much time do you really get?

The advertised duration is four hours, with a 25-minute van transfer before the boat portion. The plan assigns two hours to Giftun, one hour to Orange Bay, and one hour to Magawish. Since stops, boarding, and movement between locations take time, you should expect the captain to manage the schedule rather than assume every minute will be spent swimming.

This is not a full-day expedition. It is a compact way to see several Red Sea locations without giving up your entire day. You will likely appreciate the format if you have only a short stay in Hurghada or want to pair this trip with other plans.

The private boat also gives you a little breathing room. You can pause between snorkelling sessions, sit in the shade, eat the provided fruit, and use the shower before returning. A stereo is included, though the atmosphere will depend on what you and your group prefer.

The optional five-minute flight

One option allows you to fly above the Red Sea for up to five minutes. The supplied details do not specify the exact equipment, price, or operating conditions, so ask about those points before adding it.

Five minutes is brief, but it can provide a different view of the water and islands. It is best treated as a short extra rather than the main purpose of the trip. If you have back problems, this experience is not suitable, and you should disclose any physical concerns before booking.

What the crew adds to the day

The skipper-guide is responsible for the boat, route advice, and general guidance. The strongest praise in the available feedback focuses on the staff’s friendly, helpful manner and the extra attention given to showing good photo locations.

One guide was also credited with pointing out an unusual sight described as the Egypt Titanic. The exact reference is not explained in the tour information, so you should think of it as a possible extra observation rather than a formal stop. Still, it suggests that the crew may add small points of interest along the way instead of simply moving from one scheduled location to the next.

A photographer or guide may also help you find good places for pictures. Photography is not listed as a separate included service, so confirm whether that support is available on your departure and if any photos cost extra.

The experience is offered in English. If you want a quiet private ride, say so. If you want more local pointers, photo help, or extra stops, ask early in the trip.

What the $329 price really buys

The listed price is $329 for a private group of up to two. That works out to $164.50 per person for a couple before island entrance fees and any add-ons. For one person, the value is much weaker unless privacy and flexibility are more important than price.

You are paying for more than a seat. The cost covers private use of the speedboat, a captain-guide, hotel pickup and drop-off within the stated Hurghada area, snorkelling equipment, life jackets, water, soft drinks, fruit, a shaded section, shower, and stereo. It also buys control over the pace, which is the main reason to choose this over a shared cruise.

A larger family or group may find the private arrangement more attractive, but check the actual boat capacity and final price before booking. The listed rate specifically covers up to two people, while one family account describes a private half-day outing for nine people. That does not establish the capacity or pricing for this particular departure, so get those details confirmed rather than assuming the same terms apply.

Budget separately for Orange Bay, Nemo Island, Magawish, or other island entrance fees. Pickup from Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or Makadi also requires the correct add-on.

What to bring and what to watch

Bring a towel and cash. You will also want ordinary sun protection, though the supplied information specifically lists only the towel and cash as items to bring.

Keep valuables under your own control. The operator says it is not responsible for lost or damaged personal belongings. A private boat does not remove that concern, especially when you move between the deck, water, beach, and transfer vehicle.

The boat has life jackets, and basic snorkelling equipment is supplied. If you prefer a particular mask or snorkel, you may choose to bring your own, but that is a personal preference rather than a stated requirement.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The exception to watch is extended-area pickup, where the information says there are no cancellations after 6:00 PM the day before if that arrangement applies.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this for a couple who wants a private Red Sea outing, a family that values its own schedule, or a small group that can share the cost. It also suits people who want both activity and downtime. You can snorkel, look for dolphins, visit beaches, then sit under shade with fruit and a drink.

It is less suitable if you want the lowest-cost way to reach Orange Bay, if you dislike speedboat travel, or if you need a slow, highly structured day with guaranteed wildlife sightings. The four-hour schedule moves quickly, and the island fees add to the final bill.

The trip also requires some flexibility. Pickup may run late within the stated window, weather and sea conditions can affect the route, and dolphins cannot be ordered into view. The private format helps you adjust, but it cannot control nature.

Should you book this Hurghada speedboat trip?

Book it if you care about privacy, want a captain who can shape the route around your interests, and like the idea of combining snorkelling, dolphins, beaches, and fast cruising in one half-day. The friendly crew, photo guidance, shaded boat, and included refreshments add useful comfort.

Skip it if price is your main concern. A shared boat will usually make more sense for a solo visitor or budget-minded couple, especially once Orange Bay, Magawish, or other island charges are added.

For the right group, the strongest value is not the number of stops. It is the freedom to decide how your time on the Red Sea feels.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada private speedboat tour?

The activity lasts four hours. The transfer from the hotel to the boat takes about 25 minutes, and the planned water route includes time at Giftun Island, Orange Bay, and Magawish Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada areas listed as Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Hurghada. Pickup from Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Makadi, Soma Bay, or Safaga requires the appropriate add-on or a payment at the harbor.

What is included on the boat?

The tour includes the speedboat cruise, skipper-guide, snorkelling equipment, life jacket, water, soft drink, fruit, shaded seating, shower, stereo system, and snorkelling stops.

Are island entrance fees included?

No. Orange Bay costs €5 per person, and Magawish Island costs €5 per person. Nemo Island also has a listed €5 per person fee. Other island stops may have separate charges.

Can I see or swim with dolphins?

Dolphin watching and the possibility of swimming with dolphins are part of the experience. Dolphins are wild, so sightings and close encounters are not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and cash. You are responsible for your personal belongings, and the operator is not liable for lost or damaged items.